Drowning

Okay, let’s pretend for a minute that your dog didn’t know how to swim. Let’s pretend that he fell into a pool and started to drown. You’d save him, of course. You love him very much and don’t want to lose him.

However, being the responsible dog owner that you are, you’re probably not going to stop there. You’re going to keep him away from deep water or dress him in a doggy life jacket until you’ve taught him how to swim. You don’t want to risk his life again.

Photo by Veronica Sheppard

Here’s the problem: thousands of dogs are drowning every day, and their owners are doing nothing to save them.

I’m speaking metaphorically, of course. If your dog has a behavior problem, he’s drowning. Every time he paces and pants or hides behind the toilet during a thunderstorm, he’s slipping under the water. Every time he lunges and barks at another dog, he’s clawing desperately to keep his head above the surface. Every time he bangs his head on the floor or wall as he tries to catch a beam of light, he’s going under. You need to save him, or he’s going to drown.

Saving dogs from drowning is my profession, and it’s also my passion. Anxiety is horrible, and not seeking help for a dog who experiences anxiety is every bit as cruel as not treating a dog with a broken leg. Emotional anguish is just as painful as physical injuries in many cases, and drowning dogs need our help. They need our compassion and they need our empathy.

So, how can you save your dog from drowning? Just as you’d keep a dog who doesn’t know how to swim away from water, it’s imperative that you protect your dog from the metaphorical waters of his behavioral problem. That could mean walking him at odd hours (many of my clients walk their dogs after 11pm or before 5am to avoid meeting other dogs), covering the windows so he doesn’t spend his days barking at people walking past, or taking a break from agility competitions to work on his confidence or self control. It could mean talking to your vet about anxiety medication for thunderstorms or discontinuing playing with the laser light to discourage compulsive light chasing. It always means protecting your dog from himself, just as you would if he were going to fall into the pool.

Saving your dog may be as simple as avoiding water, but sometimes that’s just not realistic. If the waters of your dog’s behavioral issue are likely to wash over him on a regular basis, then you will also need to teach him to swim. Just as a swimming instructor or lifeguard can teach you how to swim, a professional trainer can teach your dog to cope with problems that may have previously flooded over him.

Regardless of his specific issues, drowning is a very real risk for many dogs. Young dogs are more likely to lose their lives from behavioral concerns than any other reason. Storm phobic dogs can have heart attacks in the midst of their panic, compulsive light- and tail-chasers may become so obsessive that they injure themselves, and reactive dogs can become so highly aroused that they bite. Dead is dead, whether your dog drowned in your pool or was euthanized with a syringe full of neon pink liquid.

The message here is clear: just as you wouldn’t wait if your dog was slipping under the water, please don’t wait if he’s suffering from anxiety, aggression, fear, or overarousal. Each mouthful of water he accidentally swallows is just doing more damage, and if you wait to pull him out it may be too late. Help him learn to be a strong swimmer so that he can thrive in the deep waters of life.

[This post is dedicated to Red, who couldn't be pulled from the dark waters of his mind no matter how strongly his adopters paddled. He's on dry ground now, and at peace. You were a good boy, Red Dog, and are sorely missed.]

APDT Rally Trial Brags

Congratulations to every one of the Paws Abilities teams who competed in APDT rally this weekend! We had a great weekend for titles and awards, but more importantly, I was so proud of how supportive and helpful everyone was with one another. Experienced competitors were so helpful with mentoring new participants in the sport, from walking courses together to videotaping runs to answering questions. Each of the Paws Abilities family cheered on and encouraged one another, and I couldn’t be happier to be part of such a great group.

Below are some of the accomplishments from this weekend:

• Mitchell, a mixed breed, earned his Level 1 title under Amy’s guidance. This was their first rally trial ever.
• Evan had two picture-perfect runs in the Junior class with his two mixed breeds, Charlotte and Jordi. All of the adult handlers could learn something from watching his kind and patient handling style, and it was clear that both of the dogs absolutely adore him.
• Shelly earned two legs in Level 1 with both Charlotte and Jordi. Charlotte also earned High Scoring Mixed Breed under her guidance as well as the Sophie Award, which is given to the Level 1A team exhibiting the best positive working relationship built on trust and respect.
• Tank the Schnauzer mix earned his Level 1 title with Linda.
• Willow the Australian Shepherd earned multiple legs in Level 1B, and is halfway to earning her Level 1 excellent title. She also had her very first experience in Level 2, and her focus on Carrie was amazing.
• LeRoy, a mixed breed, earned multiple legs towards his Level 1 excellent title with Julia.
• Ruler the Basenji earned his second Level 2 leg with Laura.
• Laura also helped her Chihuahua cross, Cruiser, earn his second Level 1 leg. This may very well have been the cutest rally run ever.
• Jade the Australian Shepherd earned her Level 1 title with Denise in an incredibly flashy performance.
• Dalton the mixed breed earned his first Level 1 leg with Sarala and enjoyed every minute of it.
• Mischief the 6-month-old puppy earned her Puppy Title with an Award of Excellence and also completed her first leg towards her puppy excellent title. She earned first place in every one of her classes. Sara entered Mischief in the trial as a “North American Yodelhound” since her actual breed mix is unknown.
• Dobby the Minnesota White-Toed Chipmunk Dog earned two legs towards his Level 1 excellent title with Sara.
• Layla the Minnesota White-Toed Chipmunk Dog completed her Level 2 Excellent title and also earned a leg towards her Level 3 excellent title. She was the High Scoring MMBC Member Dog.

Dog-Dog Socialization: Beyond the Dog Park

I don’t ever take my dogs to the dog park. The idea of the dog park is a great one: a safe place where dogs can play together and run free. However, in reality, I find that dog parks cause more issues than they solve, so I turn instead to other options for my own dogs.

Photo by Sangudo

There are several major problems with dog parks. The largest issue I personally have with public dog parks is the lack of oversight available for who attends them. I do not know the physical or behavioral health status of any of the dogs who attend, and the risk of exposing my dog to a sick or aggressive dog is much higher than with any other means of socialization. Unvaccinated dogs or those who are carrying parasites or viruses (such as kennel cough) are all possibilities. Since my dogs are healthy and are provided with appropriate immunizations and parasite control, this alone wouldn’t be a deal-breaker. However, behaviorally unhealthy dogs are a much bigger risk.

The largest problem with dog parks is that owners are often oblivious to or unconcerned about the behavior of their dogs. Many owners spend time at the dog park chatting with each other or on their phones, not even watching their dog. Dog parks are not appropriate places to bring dogs for remedial socialization, yet many people attempt to do just that. Many well-meaning people also bring their new or unsocialized dogs to the dog park with no idea of the dog’s comfort level around other dogs, a doggy version of “trial by fire.” Working as a dog behavior consultant, I receive calls and emails on a regular basis from people whose dog has either injured or been injured by another dog at the dog park. These calls range from a dog who has developed fear issues after being playfully jumped by a much larger dog at the dog park to a dog who literally ripped the ear off another dog when the two got into a scuffle over a ball.

There’s a saying among trainers: “if you go to the dog park long enough, something bad will happen.” While there are certainly lots of friendly, well-socialized, and healthy dogs who attend the dog park, it’s impossible to totally protect your dog from bad experiences in such an uncontrolled environment. This may not be a big deal for well-socialized, balanced, stable dogs, who will just shake off the bad experience and continue on. Young (under two years old), fearful, or easily upset dogs may not be so blase about the experience, however. One traumatic experience can set a dog up for a lifetime of fear or reactivity, something we trainers see all too heartbreakingly often.

As if this weren’t enough, I also avoid the dog park because of what my dog is likely to learn there. The average dog park attendee is an adolescent, setting the stage for a canine version of The Lord of the Flies since there are few adults around to keep order. Rude, pushy, and over-aroused behavior is often the norm. Practicing such behaviors teaches the dog that this is how he should interact with others of his species, and now we have a canine Tarzan or bully in the making.

Recall issues (where the dog refuses to come when called, or worse yet, plays “keep away” from his owner) are common at dog parks, and are a common reason why owners call me for training help. Dogs quickly learn that coming to their owners ends the fun, and start to avoid being caught. One client recently called me after she had to spend nearly four hours trying to catch her dog! She was finally able to snare the wayward pooch after her dog darted into the smaller fenced-in entrance area to greet a new dog.

So, how do I socialize my dogs? There are many great ways for your dog to enjoy the company of his own kind that are much safer and more enjoyable for all involved.

My dogs enjoy regular playdates with doggy friends. Playdates are based on my dogs’ age and play preferences, with my older dogs enjoying side-by-side walks (both on and off-leash) with their buddies and the new puppy enjoying regular off-leash chase and wrestling games with her friends. Ask around to find play partners for your dog: friends, family, coworkers, and neighbors are all great networks to tap. If one of you has a fenced-in yard, meet there for some off-leash play. Fenced-in tennis courts, baseball fields, and other such areas are also often available at local parks. One creative client of mine rented a neighbor’s fenced-in yard when she couldn’t find any other alternatives! A well-run doggy daycare can also provide your dog with regular access to other playmates, and you can feel comfortable knowing that the other dogs who attend daycare are also vaccinated and friendly.

Finally, my dogs receive regular socialization through training classes and dog sports. While the dogs may not directly interact with one another in these venues, they are still a vital piece of the socialization puzzle. Learning to focus on you and remain calm in the presence of other dogs is an important life skill. Human children are given time to play with one another and run around during recess, but also learn to sit still and focus in the classroom at school. Similarly, I don’t want my dog getting overly excited every time she sees another dog because she thinks she’s going to get to play. A dog who squeals and bucks at the end of the leash every time he sees another dog is not a well-socialized dog no matter how friendly he is, because he’s never learned how to control himself around his own species. Imagine if a human teenager or adult acted like that! Social behavior also includes the ability to just hang out calmly with members of one’s own species.

Some dog parks are better than others, and I may be more likely to attend a dog park with lots of space and trails than our local parks where dogs and people congregate around picnic tables. However, I honestly believe that there are better alternatives to the dog park. Providing socialization opportunities for my dogs is important, but that includes the responsibility to make sure that those opportunities are always safe and positive.

So, how do you socialize your dog(s)? Do you use dog parks, and if so, what do you do to ensure your dog’s safety? How are your local dog parks laid out? What socialization opportunities does your dog enjoy the most? Please share your stories and opinions in the comments below!

Accidentally Rewarding Naughtiness: the Reinforcement Value of Cues

Last week we discussed how to create a dog who loves to work and how to make the act of working for you a reward in and of itself. This week, let’s talk about a potential dark side to secondary and tertiary reinforcers.

You see, the problem with your dog finding the cue to perform a behavior rewarding is that you may unintentially reward naughty behaviors. Since the cue itself functions as a reward, whatever your dog is doing when you give him the cue is being reinforced.

Photo by Michael Marusin

Let’s look at a real-life example to help shed some light on this problem.

Misty (name changed) was a gorgeous black Lab/Pit Bull cross whose owners called me in for a private consultation. They were worried that their generally sweet and friendly dog was becoming aggressive, because she charged the fence and barked when people or dogs walked past. Over the past three months, this behavior had been intensifying, and now she would charge the fence in a “fit of rage” for no observable reason at all.

Upon meeting Misty, I was pleasantly surprised by her gentle and affectionate nature. She was social and affiliative, with a tail wag that started at her shoulders and wiggled her entire body. When I stroked her she leaned into me and seemed to melt. She was incredibly well-trained, responding instantly and enthusiastically to cues. In fact, she seemed perfect, far from the unpredictable and aggressive dog her owners were describing.

We ruled out the most common causes of fence charging: territoriality, barrier frustration, overexcitement. Anyone could come into Misty’s yard without fearing anything worse than a bath from her enthusiastic tongue. She didn’t lunge at other fences, the windows in her home, or on leash. She was mostly calm in her yard, lying on the deck and sunbathing, and calmed down instantly when her fence charging was interrupted. In fact, she responded immediately to a quiet recall cue from her owners, no matter how amped up she seemed to be at the fence.

As Misty’s owners and I discussed the history of her odd behavior, a pattern began to emerge. Misty hadn’t started off with fence charging, but merely trotting to the fence and woofing. She oftentimes woofed conversationally once or twice when greeting new dog or human friends, and her owners were concerned that their neighbors would be unhappy with them if they permitted her to do this. Misty spent long periods of time outside sunbathing, but when she would woof her owners would call her to come in.

Misty loved coming when called, and always responded joyfully to their request. Over time, she learned that by barking at the fence, she could get her owners to play the recall game with her. During the past couple months, she had gleefully expanded on her woofing game, working up to more intense barking and running at the fence. While she had initially only woofed in response to people or other dogs outside of the fence, she soon figured out that woofing at any time, regardless of the presense of others, would get her owners to call her in.

Solving Misty’s fence rushing was simple, but required her owners to be very consistant. The first time Misty rushed the fence under the new rule structure was almost comical. She ran at the fence, barking loudly, and rushed back and forth, tail spinning like a helicopter blade and ears pricked up jauntily. Her owners watched quietly. When they didn’t call her, Misty ran halfway back to them, then ran back to the fence, barking the whole time. After three minutes of this, she stopped barking on her own and trotted quizzically back towards her people, sitting in front of them.

Because Misty’s barking and fence rushing was motivated by her owners’ attention, removing their attention for these behaviors and paying attention to her for calm and quiet behavior quickly eliminated her naughty habit. Misty’s owners taught her to lie down on the deck when people or other dogs walked past, and made sure that they only called her in when she was lying down, ignoring her fence barking. Because they had caught this behavior before it became a deeply engrained habit, and because Misty didn’t find it fun without her owners’ involvement, she quickly gave up on fence rushing altogether. If you walk past Misty’s yard while she’s outside these days, you’ll notice a slightly chunky Pit Bull mix with a helicopter tail racing towards her deck to slam down on her mat and watch you walk past.

Misty’s story is not uncommon. Dogs often learn to perform a chain of behaviors in order to earn a reward. If you’ve ever had a dog who jumps up on you before tucking into a sit, this is the principle driving your dog’s behavior. Your dog isn’t being willful or “dominant” when he puts his muddy paws on your dry-clean-only suit before planting his butt politely on the ground. Chances are, you’ve told him to sit while he was jumping up over and over, and he’s learned that he should perform a chain of behaviors to say hi: jump up first, then sit. By cueing him to sit when he jumped up, you effectively (if accidentally) rewarded his jumping.

Later this week we’ll talk about how to avoid this common training pitfall. In the meantime, feel free to share your own stories in the comments. Have you ever accidentally taught your dog to do something you didn’t want them to?

[Mostly] Wordless Wednesday

Happy Holidays! Thanks to Dennis B. for this great picture of one of our friendliest client dogs, Annie.